UPHA/American Royal - Tuesday Night
Wednesday, November 17, 2010

The past two years, the Missouri Breeder’s Challenge Weanling Stake has been won by a horse by The Last Don and out of Albelarm Impulse. They were both shown by Mayo Moctezuma and owned by Joe and Bette Russell’s Hickory Knoll Farm. Little has changed in 2010, as it was once again The Last Don, Mayo Moctezuma, and Hickory Knoll Farm headed to the winner’s circle. This time, however, the winner was out of Becoming, a daughter of Albelarm Impulse. Tonight it was Caught Looking taking top honors. The final entry to show, Caught Looking is a chestnut with lots of chrome, a wide white stripe and three white feet accentuating the four-cornered, floating trot that he puts on display. He was Wisconsin Weanling Futurity Champion earlier this year. Shining under the lights tonight in reserve was Nothin’ But Charm. Max Ciampoli led this one for Shahid Koochak Yazdi. Incredibly high-headed, carrying himself almost past vertical, Nothin’ But Charm is by I’m A Lucky Charm and out of Provocative Woman, by Memories Are Made Of This. Max Ciampoli was on the lead for the third-place finisher as well, taking the yellow ribbon with I’m Your Man for David and Janis Rowell. A pretty bay with lots of neck and hinge, I’m Your Man is a complete product of the Rowells’ program, by Rowell’s Melt Your Heart and out of Rowell’s Gigi, by Admiral’s Monarch.

The Adult Country Pleasure division featured two splits of 10 this year, with Kathy Capsuto Walker continuing a strong campaign with Tremendously Charming, earning top honors. The Lexington qualifier winner was a Reserve World’s Champion this year in the 14-17 division with Mollie Kregor aboard for Paula Schmidt and the Kathy Capsuto Trust. The five-year-old mare was a World’s Champion with Kathy a year ago and returned to be crowned Reserve World’s Champion of Champions, all that as a junior horse. CH Sagaman was second in Section One with Annika Bruggeworth aboard. Directed by Jerry Hutson at Siren Song, Sagaman is coming off of back-to-back shows with double wins. This is his second year showing with Annika. The ageless CH My Grande was third here with Jan Myers riding for Kay Marschel under the Jack Magill Stables banner. CH Hard Day’s Night TS made his first show under saddle since 2006, when Michelle Krentz was aboard for two catch ride wins for Tillman Stables. Still under the same ownership, the jet black gelding was teamed with Murphy McSemek tonight under the direction of Krussell Stables for fourth.

Two of the qualifier World’s Champions were dropped into the second split, with CH League Of Nations continuing his undefeated season with Carol Hillenbrand. Ten for 10 on the year, they were perhaps even more rocked back than usual, putting on a spectacular display. John Conatser joined for the victory pass, as the blue ribbon headed back to Carriage Lane. CH Jessie Cole was reserve in this second split. The last time she and Amanda Dellinger were in a Section Two, they emerged as World’s Champions for James R. Dellinger Jr. and the Hollow Haven banner. The gray mare has won four classes since Louisville at ASHAV and Wisconsin Futurity. They were Reserve National Champions in 2009. The Straight Guy and Beth Oseroff were third for William Woods University, while CH Bella Marietta finished fourth for Jenny Hackforth Jones.

The bright chestnut Enchanting Hour cast a spell on the judges for the second year in a row, leaving with the blue in the Amateur/Junior Exhibitor Three-Gaited division. Avery Bul made the winning ride this year. It was Kaitlyn Alemian aboard the William Woods University entry in 2009. By Phi Slama Jama, Enchanting Hour is out of Enchanting Elizabeth, by CH The Talk Of The Town. Transitioning to the walk-trot ranks this year, the bay Strange Brew was reserve with Rachel Kufeldt riding for the Carol Mandernach Trust. By Roseridge Heir, Strange Brew is out of a Worthy Son mare.

When Regal’s Lighting Strike LF is on top of his game, he is a tough little bugger to beat. He was certainly switched on tonight, as Josh Greer cruised down victory lane in his familiar navy silks. Lexington’s Road Pony Champion was directed on his round of honor by Josh’s longtime friend, Clark Clouse. In 2008, Lighting Strike was the Junior Road Pony Reserve World’s Champion of Champions. With 17 wins to his credit already this year, Twin Willow’s McDreamy was reserve tonight with Dr. Alan Raun driving for Deborah Jahn. Last year’s Junior Road Pony winner, McDreamy has won all over the Midwest, all year long.

An exciting cast of nine hit the ring in the Ladies Five-Gaited Mare class, with Helen Robertson hitting the ring in high gear aboard The Lady Sings The Blues for Burbank and Collins. That scintillating first pass carried her through all the way to the winner’s circle, where she was joined by Jimmy Robertson and Mackenzie Lyttle. This daughter of Northern Blues was the Fine Harness Mare winner in this very ring in 2007. Now she has come fully into her own as a gaited horse, winning a smashing victory in this deep class. Last year’s winner, Callaway’s Cassis, was reserve in this one for Carol Hillenbrand. They were Reserve World’s Champions in this division earlier this season in Freedom Hall. Cassis and Carol made yet another wonderfully consistent performance tonight under the direction of Carriage Lane. Mosette and Katie Coup Younker had one of their best rides to claim third for Karen Coup. An elated and excited Katie left the ring with her yellow streamers in tow.

Returning to the MoKan ranks, the Missouri-Kansas Park class hit the ring next, with the black-and-white pinto, Prince’s Black Tie Affair, being called out as the winner. MoKan Junior Exhibitor Show Pleasure Reserve Champion last year, Black Tie Affair stepped up a notch with Jessica Randall to earn this blue for Chuck and Jackie Browning. They have enjoyed much success in the Park division this year, as this was their seventh victory pass of the season. Lauren Greenwald directed After Eight to his second MoKan Park reserve win in a row. Last year it was Stacey Myers riding the William Woods entry.

The 2007 Fine Harness Reserve World’s Grand Champion returned to the division this year, now under the direction of Matt Shiflet for Pidgeon Roost Farm. Looking every bit the part of her dam, CH Rejoice, Seaforth’s Bonnie Lass was all punched up and stroking a perfect park trot tonight to take the top spot. She packs all sorts of up and down action into her bright chestnut form. Danette Musselman has been in the money all year long with Memphis Gal for her dad, Dan Musselman. They were reserve here. Memphis Gal is by Ritz Kracker and out of In The Beginning, by Broadlands Beau.

Usually a good night here for William Woods, this year proved no different, as they sent another winner down victory lane in the Missouri-Kansas Adult Three-Gaited Show Pleasure division. This was My Paramour, with Danielle Benson besting the scheduled group of 16. This is My Paramour’s second show as a pleasure horse, and he is taking nicely to the change. A junior horse, Designed To Shine was reserve with Betts Coup aboard. A good night for the Coup girls, Betts put on a strong performance in this competitive class. She was twice a winner at Mid-America Mane Event a few weeks ago. Orpheus and Sarah Rowland finished third for Ever Glades Farm.

CH Callaway’s Born To Win defended what has become something of a home court for him, winning the Ladies Five-Gaited Gelding class yet again. A winner of at least one class at this show every year since 2005, Born To Win and Gayle Lampe have won their last six classes in Kemper Arena. The three-time defending Ladies Five-Gaited National Champion was all primed up once again, as Mike Roberts greeted Lampe and "Mr. November" in the winner’s circle. Perhaps it’s just green shavings that he loves so much. He was certainly bred to love them. He was also winner of this class in Freedom Hall the last two years. It was a battle of the veterans, as the great CH Carolina Cat earned the reserve win with Amanda Dellinger up for James R. Dellinger Jr. The Cat was an Amateur Ladies Reserve World’s Champion this year as he continues his storied career. He has been first or second in all of his classes this year. Digger Dan and Debbie Foley finished third for Thomas Caisse, while Nuttin’ Doing and Elisabeth Goth were fourth.

The Will Shriver Five-Gaited Stallion Stake was a rather rare one, as not a single drop of Will Shriver blood found its way into Kemper Arena to vie for this title. It was a return trip to the winner’s circle for the winner of this one, as It’s Double O’Deuce once again reigned supreme. This year it was Melissa Moore aboard for SGF Winning Ways Farm, working the bright and flashy chestnut in high style for the blue. Danette Musselman joined in the winner’s circle to head up her good friend. Jerry Hutson was reserve here with Joe Fabulous for Annika and Scott Bruggeworth. Third in the Stallion Stake at Louisville, he was the Reserve World’s Champion in the division in 2009. He is by I’m A New Yorker and out of Feather Light, by CH Courageous Admiral. I’m Lookin’ For You was popular as ever with the crowd, finishing third with Eddie Cockriel for Kaye Bowles Durnell.

Lady Bravada continued an undefeated season, as the mares dominated three of the top four spots in the Open Park class. Kenny Smith made the winning ride for Barbara Goodman Manilow. Sired by Attache’s Royal Assets, Lady Bravada is out of Tango In The Night, the dam of Tamarack’s Lightning Strikes and CH Diamond’s Hope. It was Park Mare World’s Champion Callaway’s Local News taking reserve, with Zach Duffy making another top performance with the big, impressive daughter of Callaway’s The Gipper for Kurz Equine Investments. CF A Rare Genius and David Cater made a strong show in third for Catherine McCool, with Nutcracker Ballerina and Clark Clouse fourth for Bullet Concrete Materials Inc.

Wilma Hughes was honored as the American Royal Horseperson of the Year after the Park class. She was lauded for her dedication to the American Saddlebred business and the American Royal, as well as her wonderful energy and class that have been her calling card for low these many years.

Making it three years in a row, Hillcroft Claret and Misdee Wrigley Miller took the last pass in the Amateur Three-Gaited 15.2-and-Under. Sam Stafford headed up the homebred product of the Hillcroft Farm program. This ever-elegant pairing made yet another great show, one of their best of the year, to take top honors. Amateur Three-Gaited World’s Champion of Champions With Style And Grace was reserve in this one with Tara Grom up for Robert and Kim Grom. Directed by DeLovely, the phenomenal mare was way up high in the bridle and looking down the rail.

Charlie Jones was at the lines of the second part of his one-two Roadster punch, directing Beaucourt Boy to the Open Roadster to Bike blue. Jan Lukens headed up the blue ribbon round of honor. Beaucourt Boy was the Reserve National Champion a year ago with Brad Lukens driving. Roadster Under Saddle winner here and at Louisville in 2009, Big N Rich was reserve tonight, as Tammy DeVore made a fast and furious drive for the red. Big N Rich is owned by Tammy and Mitchell DeVore. He was Roadster Under Saddle Reserve World’s Champion this year with Tammy’s brother, Derrick Westbrook, up.

The session finished out with classes of four, three, and two, featuring a duel in the Five-Gaited Mare class. While there was a dearth of Will Shriver blood in the stud stake, the mares were all about Callaway Hills, with both being bred by the grand Missouri program. First in this one was also first in Freedom Hall, as Callaway’s Annabel Allison and Debbie Foley were the choice of the judges for the blue. The Reserve World’s Grand Champion looked ready to take on the National Championship crowd on Saturday night. Another Callaway Hills star, this one by Callaway’s The Gipper, was reserve, as Callaway’s Heather Ann and A.J. Bruwer picked up the red for Three Gables LLC. They were Junior Mare Reserve World’s Champions in 2009.

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